Reinforced toe

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a shoe having an outsole with a bottom surface, an upper, a front surface, a reinforcer extending from the bottom surface along the front surface and to the upper, and where the reinforcer is made of a wear resistant material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an improved shoe construction for a bowling shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bowlers may wear bowling shoes for a variety of reasons, such as improved sliding on a lead foot and improved traction on a rear, or push, foot. Therefore, the material of the bottom of the bowling shoes, which contacts the walking surface, may affect the ability to slide and/or grip the surface.

In general, a bowler often uses the rear foot to push off and generate velocity and power in throwing the bowling ball during the final stride prior to releasing the bowling ball. Hence, traction may become important, particularly over repeated use. For some bowlers, the bottom surface of the rear shoe may become worn to a greater extent than the other shoe. Therefore, although the lead shoe may still be useable, the bowler may be inclined to replace the entire pair because the rear shoe may be sufficiently worn.

Moreover, some bowlers drag the rear shoe, particularly the toes, during the final stride prior to releasing the bowling ball. In these cases, the bowler may drag the rear foot from the ball of the foot up onto the top of the toes. As a result, the shoe typically experiences a drag beginning on the bottom surface of the pad underneath the ball of the foot (see FIG. 1 a), continuing to where the outsole meets the upper in front of the toes (see FIG. 1 b), and ending where the upper covers the top of the toes (see FIG. 1 c).

As a result, the outsole of the rear shoe may become separated from the upper. Additionally, because the upper is normally made of leather or some other soft material for comfort and breath ability, the upper may become prematurely worn on the top (see FIG. 1 c) of the shoe due to dragging the rear shoe. The separation and/or premature wear may affect the bowler's slide, which may also affect the bowler's stride. Further, the separation and/or premature wear may pose a hazard to the user, sometimes causing the user to trip or be prone to injury.

Lind (U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,415) appears to relate to a shoe having interchangeable toe tips for varying the friction of the shoe as the shoe is slid along the tip of the toes. The tips are interchangeable depending upon the user selected frictional characteristic. However, Lind does not seem to relate to an outsole that may be securely attached to the bottom of the shoe during a bowler's final stride where the shoe is dragged beginning on the bottom surface of the outsole underneath the ball of the foot, continuing to where the outsole meets the upper in front of the toes, and ending where the upper covers the top of the toes. Lind also does not seem to relate to a shoe that may reduce premature wear on the uppers or bottom surface of the outsole.

Tiitola (U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,807) appears to relate to a shoe having a two layered upper, where a top layer is stretched over an edge of the outsole. Tiitola does not seem to relate to an outsole that may be securely attached to the bottom of the shoe during a bowler's final stride where the shoe is dragged beginning on the bottom surface of the outsole underneath the ball of the foot, continuing to where the outsole meets the upper in front of the toes, and ending where the upper covers the top of the toes. Tiitola also does not seem to relate to a shoe that may reduce premature wear on the uppers or bottom surface of the outsole.

Both Bahl (U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,936) and Tilles (U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,798) seem to relate to a thick walled outsole and/or upper material but do not appear to relate to a bowling shoe having an outsole that may be securely attached to the bottom of the shoe during a bowler's final stride where the shoe is dragged beginning on the bottom surface of the outsole underneath the ball of the foot, continuing to where the outsole meets the upper in front of the toes, and ending where the upper covers the top of the toes. Both patents also do not seem to relate to a shoe that may reduce premature wear on the uppers or bottom surface of the outsole.

Reber (U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,971) relates to an improved protective toe attachment that is attachable to a shoe. However, Reber does not relate to a bowling shoe having an outsole that is securely attached to the bottom of the shoe during a bowler's final stride where the shoe is dragged beginning on the bottom surface of the outsole underneath the ball of the foot, continuing to where the outsole meets the upper in front of the toes, and ending where the upper covers the top of the toes.

What is desired, therefore, is a shoe having an outsole that is securely attached to the bottom of the shoe during a bowler's final stride where the shoe is dragged beginning on the bottom surface of the outsole underneath the ball of the foot, continuing to where the outsole meets the upper in front of the toes, and ending where the upper covers the top of the toes. What is also desired is a shoe that reduces premature wear on the uppers or bottom surface of the outsole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a shoe having an outsole that is securely attached to a bottom of the shoe while being dragged by a bowler during the bowler's final stride.

Another object is to provide a shoe that has a securely attached outsole during the dragging process where the bottom, front, and upper surfaces of the shoe may experience significant pull and friction.

It is a further object to provide a shoe that reduces premature wear on the bottom, front, and upper surfaces.

These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing a shoe having an outsole with a bottom surface, an upper, a front surface, a reinforcer extending from the bottom surface along the front surface and to the upper, and where the reinforcer is made of a wear resistant material.

The shoe may also include a side surface on the outsole and where the reinforcer extends from the bottom surface, along the side surface, along the front surface, and to the upper.

In some aspects of the invention, the shoe has a plurality of reinforcers where each reinforcer is interchangeable with a next reinforcer, wherein each reinforcer has a different frictional characteristic than a next reinforcer.

In other aspects, the reinforcer is integrally formed with the shoe and is not interchangeable or removable.

In further aspects, the reinforcer extends laterally across an entire width of the shoe. The reinforcer may optionally include a plurality of bumps for reducing surface area in contact with a walking surface.

In another embodiment of the invention, the reinforcer includes a plurality of bumps for increasing friction. In some of these embodiments, the reinforcer includes a plurality of raised portions on at least one bump for enhancing friction.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for providing a shoe includes the steps of providing an outsole having a bottom surface, providing an upper, providing a front surface, providing a reinforcer made of a wear resistant material, and extending a reinforcer from the bottom surface along the front surface and to the upper.

In some embodiments, the method includes providing a side surface and extending the reinforcer from the bottom surface, along the side surface, along the front surface, and to the upper.

Optionally, the method includes interchanging a reinforcer with a next reinforcer to vary a frictional characteristic from the reinforcer to the next reinforcer.

In these embodiments, the reinforcer may laterally extend across an entire width of the shoe. Moreover, a plurality of bumps may be placed on the reinforcer for reducing surface area in contact with a walking surface or for increasing friction between the shoe and a walking surface. The method may include the step of placing a plurality of raised portions, such as teeth, on a bump for enhancing friction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the shoe in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 more particularly depicts the reinforcer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross sectional view of the front part of the shoe shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts an alternative aspect of the reinforcer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 depicts a method for providing the shoe shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts shoe 10 in accordance with the invention. Shoe 10 includes outsole 20, bottom surface 22 of the outsole, front surface 24 of the outsole, top surface 26 of the outsole, upper 30 in contact with outsole 20, and reinforcer 40.

Reinforcer 40 is made of any known or novel wear resistant material, such as Thermal Plastic Urethane (“TPU”), for resisting premature wear from the stresses normally encountered when bowling, particularly the rear bowling shoe, or push shoe, because the rear shoe is usually used by the bowler as a source of generating sufficient velocity as the bowler approaches the foul line, the bowler often pushes off the rear shoe with increased force relative to the other foot so that the ball may be released with the desired speed possible, which is usually a maximum or near maximum amount of speed while still maintaining control of the ball. Hence, traction becomes important on the rear shoe so that the bowler may be able to push off with the force desired. Over time, the traction may become worn and the push off foot may lack sufficient traction to permit the bowler to push off with adequate force. Hence, to inhibit premature wear on the rear shoe, reinforcer 40 is placed in the areas of outsole 20 that are subject to premature wear. Although reinforcer 40 is generally located on the rear bowling shoe, in further embodiments, reinforcer 40 is located on either or both shoes to accommodate bowlers who are left handed or right handed.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, reinforcer 40 extends from bottom surface 22, along front surface 24, and terminating at a point on upper 30. In these locations, reinforcer 40 inhibits premature wear on the areas of shoe 10 more likely to be subjected to the frictional forces caused by dragging shoe 10 along a walking surface, such as a bowling lane or alley or the surface prior to the foul line. These areas of shoe 10 include bottom surface 22 toward the front of shoe 10, front surface 24, and upper 30 toward the front of shoe 10.

In further embodiments, reinforcer 40 may extend to upper surface 36 of upper 30 to further protect upper 30 from premature wear in the event the bowler may drag his/her foot in such an extreme manner where upper surface 36 comes in contact with the walking surface. See FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, reinforcer 40 extends laterally across the entire width of shoe 10. In some embodiments, reinforcer 40 extends laterally across a portion of the width of shoe 10. These embodiments may be suitable for bowlers who do not pronate or supenate or for providing a shoe having the benefits of both a wear resistant material and a flexible material, the outsole material being more flexible than the material for reinforcer 40, in the front part of shoe 10.

Reinforcer 40 need not be limited to rubber or TPU but may be any material likely to resist wear relative to the material used for upper 30 or outsole 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, reinforcer 40 is integrally formed with outsole 20 and/or upper 30. However, in further embodiments, reinforcer 40 may be removably secured to shoe 10 so that reinforcer 40 may be replaced when worn. In some of these embodiments, reinforcer 40 is selected from a plurality of reinforcers, where each reinforcer has a different slide characteristic than a next reinforcer, such as varying surface areas or frictional properties. Therefore, depending upon a user's preference, a reinforcer may be interchanged with any one of the plurality of reinforcers to vary slide characteristics. Each of the reinforcers may be interchangeably or removably secured to shoe 10 by adhesive, screws, rivets, hook and loop fasteners, and the like.

Optionally, shoe 10 may include a plurality of bumps 28 on reinforcer 40. Bumps 28 may be located on bottom surface 22, front surface 24, and upper 30 for reducing surface area in contact with the walking surface. Reducing surface area may result in less friction when shoe 10 is dragged from bottom surface 22, to front surface 24, and to upper 30. The purpose of bumps 28 is to reduce the surface area of bottom surface 22, front surface 24, or upper 30 in contact with the walking surface.

In embodiments where reinforcer 40 is selected from a plurality of reinforcers, each reinforcer may have bumps 28 that vary in geometry and/or depth so that frictional characteristics vary among varying reinforcers. For example, one reinforcer may have bumps 28 that are dome shaped and that extend a short distance away from a surface of the reinforcer while a second reinforcer may have bumps that are polygonal in shape with teeth extending a large distance from the surface of the reinforcer so that the bumps of the second reinforcer dig into and grip the bowling lane. The dome shape may have less friction when shoe 10 is slide when compared with the polygonal shape bump, the corners and length of the polygonal bump being designed to dig into the bowling lane and enhance friction between shoe 10 and the bowling lane. Moreover, end 29 of bump 28 may have teeth to further enhance frictional characteristics of reinforcer 40. This is more particularly shown in FIG. 3, the cross sectional view of reinforcer 40 shown in FIG. 2 taken along a length of shoe 10.

Additionally, in reference to FIG. 1-2, reinforcer 40 may further include extension 42 extending laterally around upper 30. Extension 42 provides additional protection in a lateral direction to upper 30 not generally needed or desired in front surface 24. Hence, for cost reduction as well as aesthetic appeal, extension 42 is provided as opposed to widening reinforcer 40 in a lateral direction on front surface 24 in addition to widening reinforcer 49 in a lateral direction on upper 30.

In further embodiments, reinforcer 40 may have a geometry similar to a toe cap that covers the entire front area of shoe 10, similar to a steel toe boot having a protective covering that covers the user's toes. See FIG. 4. Reinforcer 40 is shown to cover parts of bottom surface 22, side surface 23, front surface 24, and upper 30.

FIG. 5 depicts method 100 for providing the above shoe, including the steps of providing 102 an outsole having a bottom surface, providing 104 an upper, providing 106 a front surface, providing 108 a reinforcer made of a wear resistant material, and extending 110 the reinforcer from the bottom surface along the front surface and to the upper.

Method 100 may optionally include the step of providing 114 a side surface and extending 116 the reinforcer from the bottom surface, along the side surface, along the front surface, and to the upper.

In some embodiments, method 100 includes the step of providing 121 a next reinforcer and interchanging 122 a reinforcer with the next reinforcer to vary a frictional characteristic from the reinforcer to the next reinforcer, wherein the various reinforcers provide different slide capabilities to the user due to the varying frictional characteristics between the reinforcers.

To provide a larger, more effective reinforcer to protect the shoe, method 100 includes the step of laterally extending 126 the reinforcer across an entire width of the shoe.

Further, to more drastically vary frictional characteristics, method 100 may include placing 132 a plurality of bumps on the reinforcer for reducing surface area in contact with a walking surface or placing 138 a plurality of bumps for increasing friction between the shoe and a walking surface. Hence, the bumps' geometry and/or material and/or size may positively or negatively affect friction, depending upon the needs of the user.

A smooth, rounded, or dome-shaped bump may reduce friction because it reduces the surface area of reinforcer 40 in contact with the walking surface, such as a bowling alley or ground.

A rough, elongated, or sharp cornered bump may increase the frictional contact point between reinforcer 40 and the walking surface. Such rough surface on a bump may be a set of teeth, as shown in FIG. 4. 

1. A shoe, comprising: an outsole having a bottom surface; an upper; a front surface; a reinforcer extending from said bottom surface along said front surface and to said upper; and said reinforcer being made of a wear resistant material.
 2. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said outsole has a side surface and said reinforcer extends from said bottom surface, along said side surface, along said front surface, and to said upper.
 3. The shoe according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of reinforcers where each reinforcer is interchangeable with a next reinforcer.
 4. The shoe according to claim 3, wherein each reinforcer has a different frictional characteristic than a next reinforcer.
 5. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcer extends laterally across an entire width of the shoe.
 6. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcer includes a plurality of bumps for reducing surface area in contact with a walking surface.
 7. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said reinforce is integrally formed with the shoe.
 8. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcer includes a plurality of bumps for increasing friction between the shoe and a walking surface.
 9. The shoe according to claim 8, wherein said reinforcer includes a plurality of raised portions on a bump for enhancing friction.
 10. A method for providing a shoe, comprising the steps of: providing an outsole having a bottom surface; providing an upper; providing a front surface; providing a reinforcer made of a wear resistant material; and extending a reinforcer from the bottom surface along the front surface and to the upper.
 10. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of providing a side surface and extending the reinforcer from the bottom surface, along the side surface, along the front surface, and to the upper.
 11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of interchanging a reinforcer with a next reinforcer to vary a frictional characteristic from the reinforcer to the next reinforcer.
 12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of laterally extending the reinforcer across an entire width of the shoe.
 13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of placing a plurality of bumps for reducing surface area in contact with a walking surface.
 14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of placing a plurality of bumps for increasing friction between the shoe and a walking surface.
 15. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of placing a plurality of raised portions on a bump for enhancing friction. 